Chapter 2

Three very excited small children were running from the creek in the vast rural land of Cuandixia, a rural village couple of hours away from Beijing.

The little girl shouted happily to the older boy, “James, don’t forget about us when you’re rich. You’re so lucky. You’re going to get to live in the big city and do a lot of fun things now. You don’t have to go work hard in the farms anymore. My family will never be able to get out of this little village.”

Little Liam Wu, another village friend around James’ age added, “That’s right, James. Remember about your friends back here missing you.”

The little boy, James, replied, “Hannah, don’t worry. My papa said it’s really not that far from here. I’ll try to come visit you often. When I grow up, I’ll come back for you.”

Little scrubby Hannah smiled joyfully in her patched clothes and silly pony tails. “You promise?” She stuck out her pinky to him.

He crossed his pinky with hers. “I promise.”

…

In the front of a small, gated, shabby home was a big, luxurious van. By the front gate stood young Stephen and Hannah’s late father, Matt Li, whom was still very lively. The two spoke quickly so as to not hold the Chen’s up. Wearing lightly tattered clothes, Matt expressed gratefully to Stephen.

“My bestfriend, the best thing has come to you and your family. Your life is never going to be the same again. No more suffering and laboring for you. Don’t forget to come visit me.”

Matt took Stephen’s hand and pat it firmly as both of them became teary.

Stephen nodded his head in agreement and patted Matt’s shoulder, “I love you, brother. You are not a friend. You are my brother. Through all the hardship’s we’ve through in poverty. I will surely come back for you. I promise.”

From the driver seat, a young Henry exited and walked towards the two men sorrowfully. He said to Matt, “Matt, my brother. Don’t worry. Keep doing your best for your family. Stephen and I will get ourselves settled and come back for you. Our fathers were best friends during their time and it has carried on to us. And so, we will remain that way too. Stephen and I care for you and your family very much. We promise that we’ll be back for you when we get situated.”

Suddenly, the back window opened and a young, rough looking Martha shouted towards the three men agitated. “Hurry up! The sun will set soon! Father will be waiting for us at the airport. Don’t make us late.” Inside the van was also a young, pleasant Esther along with James and Phillip.

“My friend, Matt, don’t work too hard. Only do what you can. I’ll send some financial support for your family when I can,” Stephen gently encouraged him.

A teardrop fell from Matt’s eye as he quickly wiped it to hide the bittersweet moment. The Chen’s and the Li’s were family through friendship beginning from their grandfathers who befriended each other through poverty the generation before. Esther came from a more financially stable family which made it possible for Grandpa Chen to take a loan from her parents. Then, he took really big risk going to Beijing to patent and sell a farming tool mechanism he invented on his farm. Grandpa Chen always had the brains and hands for inventions. He was able to settle in Beijing first after selling his tool and ideas to a big company. From there on out, he was offered an apprenticeship to learn how to run a business under the man that bought his inventions. Finally, Grandpa Chen was able to own his business and give his family a better life away from the country. Grandpa Li was not so fortunate dying early on from a tree cutting accident where he was crushed to death. At that time, Matt had only been married recently and Hannah was not born. In the years that Grandpa Chen became successful in Beijing and financially supported Henry and Stephen’s young families, he’d also send financial support to Matt and his widowed mother.

“Honey, with this money sent from Grandpa Chen, we’ll invest it into getting our daughter a proper education. Although we are old, uneducated, and cannot help Hannah, we can give her an education that will last her a lifetime even when we are gone,” Matt suggested to young Lisa.

Lisa smiled warmly to her husband who was cradling their infant daughter. “You’ve got the right idea, my husband. We can at least give her a good head start.” She gently rubbed the soft, thin hair on baby Hannah’s head.

***

A few years had gone by after the Chen’s were settled comfortably in Beijing and their business flourished amongst their competitors. Henry and Stephen quickly took on big roles within their father’s corporation.

(Ring, ring)

Stephen was awakened by a disruptive call in the middle of the night. Quickly fixing on his glasses by the night stand, he grabbed the standing home phone, “Hello? Who is this? Do you know what time it is?”

(Silence)

“Hello?” Stephen was confused.

“Stephen…” said a weak voice before breaking into a soft cry.

“Lisa? What’s wrong?”

Young Martha had been awakened just now and turned on her night lamp puzzled. “Honey, it’s Lisa? What’s wrong?!”

“Stephen, it’s Matt…”

“What happened to Matt, Lisa?” Stephen asked trying to keep himself together.

“He told me not to tell you, but I have to now,” she whimpered. “Matt’s really sick. He’s been sick for a year now and wouldn’t tell you. He’s really weak lately…not being able to eat and drink anymore. If you want to see him one last time, come soon.”

***

Young Stephen was finally back in the shabby Li home crying and holding his best friend’s bony, frail hand.

“WHY? Why didn’t you tell me you were sick, Matt? I would’ve gotten you treatment,” Stephen insisted while weeping.

Matt was awake and alert as frail as he was on the thin foam bed. With great difficulty, he remained joyful to console Stephen. “I didn’t want to keep you worried, my friend.” He was able to sneak in a gentle smile.

Stephen tightened his grip on Matt’s hand still beside him still weeping. “Tell me what do you want, my brother. I’ll promise you anything.”

Matt closed his eyes and remained silent. “You don’t owe me anything, Stephen. We’ve never owed each other anything. We’ve always taken care of each other freely.”

“Exactly, brother. We’ve always taken care of each other freely. Tell me, if it’s your last wish, tell me what it is you wish you. I promise I’ll do it for you.”

Matt looked at the ceiling above him lost and yet, complicated.

“Stephen, the greatest thing you can do for me when and if I’m gone is to get my family out of here onto a better life. Can I ask for that?”

Stephen nodded his head steadfastly and continued to weep.

The following day, everyone woke up to the soft wailing of Lisa who was hugging the lifeless body of Matt. At the time, poor Hannah was still too young to understand.

After Matt was buried, Stephen returned to Beijing but continued to send financial support to Lisa, Matt’s widowed mother, and little Hannah. Hannah grew up with an uninterrupted education while her mother and grandmother worked in the fields daily. Lisa continued to raise Hannah was a broken heart no one could mend.